Students prepare for Pennsylvania mock-trial competition

Preparation for a statewide mock-trial competition is under way in Pennsylvania, with students from 287 high schools participating. Teams of eight to 10 students research their case and receive guidance from practicing attorneys as they present both sides of a legal case before real judges, with the 12 best teams competing in a final round in March. "Mock trial helps kids develop their public-presentation and writing skills," said one teacher. "Those are two of the most important things you can learn in high school."